Strike averted as Royal College of Nursing members accept pay offer

Members of the Royal College of Nursing have voted to accept a new pay offer from the Scottish government.

The union had recommended its members back the deal which would see a 6.5% increase from April, coupled with a promise of other changes.

It said a narrow majority voted for the proposal which ends the immediate threat of strike action.

The RCN said its members had previously voted for strike action "with a heavy heart".

Director Colin Poolman added: "Their commitment to standing up for patients and their profession brought the Scottish government back to the table. "Members have narrowly voted to accept this offer but the Scottish government must be under no illusion, much more is required for nursing staff to feel valued and to ensure Scotland has the nursing workforce it needs."

The Scottish government previously said the new offer would make Scotland's NHS staff by far the best paid in the UK.

Julie Lamberth, chair of the union's Scotland board said it took "the real threat" of nursing strikes to secure the offer.

She added: "While members voted by a narrow margin to accept the offer, the chronic staff shortages and low morale that led to the strike mandate are still very real."

The RCN confirmed just over 50% of eligible members took part in the consultative ballot, from 28 February to 20 March, with 53.4% voting to accept the offer.

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